Reigning, Ruined, and Regenerated

“Don’t put the cart before the horse.”

-Anonymous

Today we begin our inquiry into the doctrine of salvation, but what do horses and carts have to do with this biblical teaching? Neither have a horse in this race (pun intended). However, the old proverb is to be learned from. We need to start this discussion from a healthy perspective. I say healthy to be a little broad for brethren with whom I have 99% agreement with on this doctrine yet may differ with me on what the best starting point is. I want to be gracious and respectful to those, yet I do believe that three doctrines must be fleshed out at the onset: God’s reigning, humanity’s ruin, and the doctrine of regeneration. To word it this way:

• As to the reign of God: How sovereign is he?
• As to the ruin of humanity: How sinful are we?
• As to regeneration: New habits or new heart?

Let me say that these were not the questions I was asking ten years ago, but ones that I very much wish someone would have concisely brought to my attention much sooner.

If we start with T.U.L.I.P. and discussing man’s “free will” then have a quick word on John 3:16 (without context) we will be putting the cart before the horse.

You might ask: “Why are these the questions to be asking?”

1. What we believe about God, no matter the particular doctrine being studied, is central to the discussion. Our convictions about who God is, his work, and his promises make the lens by which we read the Bible. Our belief about his nature, ability, and promise to save plays a key role in this thought process.
2. On the opposite end of the equation is the question of how ruined by sin are we. What do we believe about ourselves according to scripture? What kind of rescue do we need?
3. Now in the middle of these two is one of the most foundational doctrines regarding the work of God: the new birth. What happens in the new birth? What has God promised to do?

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.”

-A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God

I have had countless conversations with people from various backgrounds and denominations on different and varying doctrines. 99% of the time I have noticed that these three issues are at the heart of the disagreement. Therefore, I want to give special consideration to these things before we move on to some of the nitty-gritty.

Due to the centrality of these topics they will appear again in future blogs. Therefore, I will do a quick overview at this time.

As to the Reign of God: How Sovereign is He?

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

-Romans 11:36

God is the source of all things (Gen. 1:1; John 1:3; Col. 1:16-17). Apart from God nothing exists or can occur (Job 12:10; Acts 17:28). All is for him. His purposes are the end goal of all things (Psa. 33:10-11; 1 Cor. 8:6). Note not only the text but also the context. Paul places this short, yet rich statement at the end of eleven dense chapters in which he unpacks the work of God in redeeming the corrupted creation. This summary statement is to be read in light of all that has preceded it. Redemption is from God, in God, and for the glory of God.

Just a side note on Genesis 1:1…if he created everything than he owns it. If he owns it he can do what ever he pleases with it (Psa. 115:3, “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”)

As to the Ruin of Humanity: How Sinful are We?

How sinful are we…or as I say occasionally when teaching: How jacked up are we? Bro, we are messed up in all kind ways, in ways we do not even know. Like, we are sinful beyond imagination. How can we say that with such nice people: you, family, neighbor? Nice people right?

Again let us turn to our brother Paul and observe another summary statement from Romans, except this one is toward the beginning:

““None is righteous, no, not one;

no one understands;

no one seeks for God.

All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;

no one does good,

not even one.”

“Their throat is an open grave;

they use their tongues to deceive.”

“The venom of asps is under their lips.”

“Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”

“Their feet are swift to shed blood;

in their paths are ruin and misery,

and the way of peace they have not known.”

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Romans 3:10-18

Paul has just drawn from the opening and closing books of the Psalms (5:9; 10:7; 14:1-3; 36:1; & 140:3) and a text from Isaiah (59:7-8)…to only speak of what is very clear. He is likely alluding to various other Old Testament texts with in this. By these he shows the human condition to being rejectors of God and violent to one another as outlined by Mark A. Seifrid when writing on this passage (3:10-12 see Psa 14:1-3; 3:13 see Psa 5:9 & 140:3; 3:14 see Psa. 10:7; 3:15-17 see Isa. 59:7-8; 3:18 see Psa. 36:1). Paul is giving a summary statement of Old Testament theology as given by the Spirit led prophets on the severity of mankind’s sinfulness (not to mention Genesis 6:5; Psalm 51:5; & Jeremiah 17:9)

Again let us not only note the text but the context. Paul spends all of Romans 1:18-3:20 unpacking the sinfulness of all humanity. This is important for Paul that we see the righteous judgement of God against the ungodly before he writes of the glorious work of redemption wrought by God. In short, two plus chapters out of the eleven dedicated to unpacking God’s work of redemption are devoted to explaining how “jacked up” we are.

We are sick to the heart and in need of a replacement.

As to Regeneration: New Habits or New Heart?

Yes, as just mentioned the heart needs to be replaced, that is to say, recreation must occur. A powerful work of renewal must be had. In the New Testament we see Paul speak of this event as God’s work of New Creation (2 Cor. 5:17, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is new creation.” [emphasis mine] ) This is what we are with faith and repentance: New Creation. John and Peter write of it with the phrase: born again (John 3:3, 7; 1 Pet. 1:3, 23). As it has often been said: God is not in the business of behavior modification, but in the business of heart change.

What do we need to take away from this? Regeneration (new creation; born again) is the work of God (PERIOD).

“Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’”

John 3:5-7

Notice the birth is done by Spirit. As God has always created and recreated by the Spirit so he does in us. Regeneration is the work of God. And again:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”

1 Peter 1:3

Again we see the New Testament teaching this new birth as the work of God: “he has caused us…” This work is brought about by God’s power for his purpose (Eph. 1).

Conclusion

Much more will be said on these three doctrines in future blogs. More must be said for they are central to our belief about the salvation we enjoy. But for now we will leave it here: God in his power and for his purpose has exercised his limitless power to redeem his enemies from darkness and transfer them into the kingdom of his beloved Son.

With this in mind we may go forward with our exploration of the Doctrine of Salvation (soteriology).

Application

1. When we reflect on the might of our God, the wickedness of our natural state, and God’s design and work to save we should worship. All theology, when rightly interacted with, leads to doxology. This reality should be all the more potent in our hearts and minds. Let us set our minds on the mighty works of God that gladden the heart of the saint and so worship him.
2. Let us reflect on the work of God so as to lead our souls to rest. We rest in the security of our salvation for it has been planned and accomplished by God. However, we also have a rest for our souls as we evangelize. When speaking to our neighbor about Christ we may rest in the knowledge that God is sovereign in that moment, with our words, and in the heart of the person to whom we speak.